by Keith Oberg, Vice-President, Pedals for Progress
In October 2002, out of school and unemployed at 17 amidst the collapse of Fiji’s tourism-based economy, Apisalome Toanikeve appeared to have little future. A coup, near civil war, and continuing tension between the South Pacific island state’s two major ethnic groups, exacerbated by the worldwide recession after September 2001, fostered an island-wide depression. Apisalome (or “Api”) killed time hanging out with friends, or wandering aimlessly around Fiji’s capital city, Suva. Api is typical of a growing at-risk population of uneducated, unemployed youths, with considerable potential but little opportunity. He is a member of Fiji’s native population, from which many of the country’s poor come. Both his parents are unemployed and, with three school-age children, financially unable to send him to school.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Cycling Association, like many local civil society actors, was also struggling, programmatically and financially. Founded with the mission of supporting amateur competitive cycling, the Association’s activities, membership, and resources dwindled after 2000, as the economy entered a tailspin and individual cyclists struggled to financially support themselves and their families.
In the face of these difficulties, the Association’s president, Percy Navolo, stubbornly persevered, organizing races and advising members and the public on cycling issues and subjects. In particular, Percy took a continuing interest in identifying and training potential youth racers in bike mechanics, competitive cycling, and personal development.
Percy encountered Apisalome last year, while the youth was on one of his regular wanderings in Suva. Since their chance encounter, Api has been living with Percy and his family in Nadi and has shown great interest and aptitude in bicycle repairs and competitions. Api’s opportunity to work more extensively with bikes came in late 2002, with the arrival of a 40’ container of over 400 bicycles, plus parts and accessories, donated by Pedals for Progress to the Fiji Cycling Association. Funding of freight costs came from the Friends of Fiji, an association of returned Peace Corps volunteers.
Following the arrival of the shipment, Percy traveled throughout the country, promoting the Association’s programs, conducting racing trials and competitions, and promoting Fijian cyclist participation in national and international competition. The number of youth participants in the racing program has more than doubled in the brief time since the bikes arrived and the Association now has the largest membership ever.
It has earned the endorsement and financial support of the country’s National Olympic Committee to send teams to 2004 Olympic Qualifiers, held in Switzerland in July 2003. And—using PfP-supplied bicycles—Fiji will participate in the South Pacific Games being held simultaneously.
At this time Percy has five female and six male full-time bicycle mechanic trainees, ages 15 to 17 years. Many more young people have participated in small group training in bicycle maintenance and mechanics. With funds generated by bike and parts sales, the Association has expanded its modest workshop space.
Most PfP-supplied road bikes are currently in use in the youth amateur racing program. Once the South Pacific Games and the Olympic trials have taken place, the Association intends to sell the bulk of these bikes to generate funds to import a second container.
A portion of the initial shipment—mostly mountain and other wide-tired bikes--have already been sold at a low price to a targeted population of rural farmers and villagers, who benefit greatly traveling over gravel roads to their farms and work places.
A further portion of the original mountain bikes have been put aside to start-up an Association-owned courier business to generate income for the benefit of the youth program and the Association in general. The courier service is currently targeting a minimum of 22 major business houses with at least 32 resorts and hotels, located within a 20 km. radius of Nadi Town and Nadi International Airport.
Percy reports he is energized by the response he is getting from the community, and the support that the bikes and parts have provided to the program. He is optimistic about the future, predicting that the Association will be able to put aside the funds to pay for a second container in September 2003, and continue expanding its outreach to youth.
As Percy says, “There are many more kids out there like Apisalome…I wish to train them and give them a hope of a brighter future. And with…support from Pedals for Progress and the Friends of Fiji I am rest assured…this is possible.“